Rosalin Baker and Jeffrey Wiltshire: The death of baby Imani
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The death of three-month-old Imani Wiltshire is a tragic and senseless case of child abuse and attempted cover-ups. This cold and calculated crime is difficult for even the hardest authoritarians to stomach. Imani’s story shows just how far two callous parents are willing to go to avoid punishment for the crimes against their child.
Here at Crime+Investigation, we’re going to be diving deeper into the death of baby Imani. We’re also going to look at how her parents did what they could to hide the truth of their abuse.
The short life of Imani Wiltshire
Imani Wiltshire was born premature on 2nd June 2016. She was born in her mother, Rosalin Baker’s, bedsit in Manor Park, east London. Imani was only 28 weeks and 5 days old when she was born. She was taken to Newham University Hospital where she spent 65 days in the neonatal unit. Her mother visited her 18 times during those 65 days.
Before Imani was discharged on 5th August, a child protection case conference was arranged to take place on 15th August following a strategy discussion. Imani was discharged into her mother’s care. Baker planned to stay with her sister in Tower Hamlets with her young daughter. However, reports show that Imani was not thriving. That being said, there is not much documentation available when it comes to Imani’s daily routine. Key information, such as Imani’s height, was also not recorded.
Imani’s child protection case conference went ahead on 15th August, but Baker was far from co-operative. She refused to name the baby's father or tell anyone where she lived. She also did not comply with the plan put in place.
Imani was moved to Colchester in late August after Baker’s sister and mother requested to Barking and Dagenham children’s services that Baker live with her mother. After the move, Imani was meant to be put on a list of children who were subjected to a child protection plan within Essex Children’s Service.
On 26th August, Baker’s situation changed. She told her social worker that her mother had kicked them out. Baker’s mother clarified this, stating that the council would need to find accommodation for her daughter and granddaughter as she could no longer accommodate them.
In mid-September, Baker moved back to London with her baby. She moved in with her controlling, abusive boyfriend (who also happened to be Imani’s father), Jeffrey Wiltshire. By 28th September, Imani’s life had been cruelly taken from her.
The death of Imani Wiltshire
On 28th September 2016, Baker and Wiltshire were caught together on CCTV. Baker was getting on the bus to Stratford, and Wiltshire was seen giving her a kiss and a thumbs up before she boarded. Imani was strapped to Baker’s chest.
While on the bus, Baker began to raise the alarm regarding Imani’s condition. The other bus passengers did their best to help the infant, attempting to give her CPR and calling emergency services. Their efforts were in vain, as unbeknownst to them, Imani had already passed away before Baker had even gotten on the bus.
Baker and Wiltshire – both drug addicts – had brutally abused Imani in the week leading up to her death. She suffered from severe head injuries, a broken wrist and 40 fractured ribs. When she passed away, Baker and Wiltshire concocted a devious plan to fake a medical emergency for their baby. After the scene on the bus, Imani was taken to hospital and pronounced dead. A post-mortem showed that her head injuries were the cause of death. It was later discovered that Imani died 24 hours beforehand.
The sentencing of Rosalin Baker and Jeffrey Wiltshire
In May 2017, Rosalin Baker and Jeffrey Wiltshire were sentenced to 11 years each in prison. They were charged with murder, but also with causing the death of, or serious physical harm to a child contrary to section five of the Domestic Violence and Victims Act 2004.
The pair were also charged with neglect of a child, contrary to the Children and Young Persons Act 1993, section one. In October 2017, they both received a year off their original sentences following an appeal. They were acquitted of the murder charge, but were still convicted for allowing or causing the death of a child.
Imani Wiltshire was failed by pretty much everyone who should have been taking care of her. She dealt with so much suffering in her short life at the hands of those who were meant to protect her. The case of Imani Wiltshire is horrific, but hopefully it has allowed those working in child protection to spot the signs of abuse and deceit in the future to prevent more tragedies.
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